The Cardiac & Vascular Institute First in the Region to Join National Heart Initiative

The Cardiac & Vascular Institute (TCAVI) and North Florida Regional Medical Center (NFRMC) are first in the region, and only one of two centers in Florida, to join the National Cardiogenic Shock Initiative aimed at improving survival rates in heart attack patients.

Regional Medical Center (NFRMC) are first in the region, and one of only two centers in Florida, to join the National Cardiogenic Shock Initiative aimed at improving survival rates in heart attack patients. The new initiative brings together cardiologists from The Cardiac & Vascular Institute with cardiothoracic surgeons, dedicated nurses and technologists from North Florida Regional Medical Center to improve patient care.

"We are pleased to participate in this national initiative which hopes to improve survival rates in the acute myocardial infarction patient in cardiogenic shock. This is the most difficult and challenging cardiac patient we take care of at North Florida Regional Medical Center," says Christopher Caputo, DO, Medical Director at The Cardiac & Vascular Institute.

In cardiogenic shock, a patient's heart suddenly cannot pump enough oxygen-rich blood to the body and vital organs. It is life-threatening and requires emergency medical treatment to not only keep the patient alive, but restore blood flow to the organs thus preventing long-term damage to the organs. Traditionally, with cardiogenic shock patients, physicians have relied on medications and mechanical devices to keep the heart functioning, but often the circulation of blood flow has not been enough to keep the vital organs working properly. Historically, this has led to a 50 percent survival rate when cardiogenic shock occurs.

TCAVI/NFRMC joins the National Cardiogenic Shock Initiative after early data shows survival rates improving to almost 80 percent. The initiative includes a protocol using a tiny heart pump that alleviates the work of the heart during a heart attack. This method provides sufficient circulatory assistance with minimal intervention and trauma. Additionally, the protocol incorporates a unique algorithm allowing to systematically wean patients off the medications that can worsen outcomes in these high-risk patients with shock.

Cardiogenic shock patients are among the highest at risk of death. The initiative's protocol provides new tools for the TCAVI/NFRMC heart team to improve the odds of survival for these patients. The Cardiac & Vascular Institute is proud to work with The Heart & Vascular Center of North Florida Regional Medical Center on this national heart initiative delivering the highest and most technologically advanced cardiac care to our community.

About The Cardiac & Vascular Institute

The Cardiac & Vascular Institute (TCAVI) has offices in both Gainesville and Lake City, Florida. TCAVI is committed to providing the highest quality health services to our patients. The physicians of TCAVI are board certified in every aspect of cardiology providing state of the art diagnostic, therapeutic and preventive cardiac services by utilizing the best in both the technology and the art of medicine. TCAVI's focus is understanding and resolving patients' health care needs. The Cardiac & Vascular Institute is dedicated to providing the highest quality medical care to our patients. For more information on the practice or to schedule an appointment with The Cardiac & Vascular Institute, please contact (352)375-1212 or visit http://www.TCAVI.com.

About North Florida Regional Medical Center

NFRMC is a 432-bed, full-service medical and surgical acute care center serving North Central Florida and offering comprehensive cardiovascular care, oncology, orthopedics, neurosciences, minimally-invasive laparoscopic and robotic surgery, weight loss surgery and treatment, women's health and wound therapy, among other services. NFRMC is a member of Hospital Corporation of America (HCA). Based in Nashville, Tennessee, HCA Healthcare is one of the nation's leading providers of healthcare services, comprising 178 hospitals and approximately 1,800 sites of care, including surgery centers, freestanding ERs, urgent care centers and physician clinics, in 20 states and the United Kingdom.

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